Iruma-san wants to win the Akutagawa Prize

"Xiang, what should we do over there?"

"Xiangzi..."

For Hibiki Iruma, making a decision is a difficult thing. He once again faces a situation where he has to choose between two options: to choose Shoko Toyokawa or Crychic?

In fact, what Iruma Hibiki wants to choose at this moment is probably the former. If he apologizes to other people properly afterwards, he should be forgiven.

And now if he leaves Toyokawa Shoko, then Toyokawa Shoko will be the real one, there is nothing he can do...

"I……"

"Higiri, go back now, and we'll meet later."

Toyokawa Shoko said this, then sat up from the bed. Her face blushed slightly for a moment, and then she changed her clothes in front of Iruma Hibiki.

"Xiangzi, do you have any plans for today?"

"Well, I have a few part-time job interviews scheduled, so I can't miss them. And then there's the school as well."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke frankly.

Now that things have come to this, she has nothing to hide from Hibiki Iruma.

"I'm not planning on going straight to Tsuki-no-Mori. I might choose Haneda instead. The tuition for Tsuki-no-Mori is already... Haneda has a scholarship. If I can get it, it will make things much easier."

"Hibiki, tell me, would it be better for me to give up my studies?"

Toyokawa Shoko suddenly said this.

Indeed, facing the difficulties of life, giving up studies and focusing on current affairs may be the right choice.

But at this moment, Iruma Hibiki couldn't agree with Toyokawa Shoko's words.

"Let's think of a solution together, Xiangzi. It's better not to give up on your studies."

Iruma Hibiki spoke words that were unfamiliar to himself.

In fact, he has never experienced what it is like to live an independent life.

"Yeah, I think so too."

In fact, from the very beginning, Toyokawa Shoko made Iruma Hibiki feel a little unfamiliar.

There is a kind of——

After last night, Toyokawa Shoko, who had little common sense, completely turned into a person who recognized the reality and began to face life's problems head-on.

The change was so fast that Hibiki Iruma felt a little uncomfortable.

They actually came close last night, they crossed that line.

But in the end, Iruma Hibiki's desire was ultimately occupied by more important things. While they were chatting about various things and making plans for the future, Toyokawa Shoko suddenly fell asleep.

"About the band... Hibiki, you're right."

"After the performance with everyone is over..."

It was rare for Shoko Toyokawa to be silent for a while.

Iruma Hibiki saw the shadow of Toyokawa Shoko in her face.

"I will announce a suspension of activities. When the bell rings, you will stand by me, right?"

Toyokawa Shoko said this.

She was already prepared to be blamed by others when the time came to announce the suspension of activities.

"Xiangzi, about this matter..."

"Did Hibiki mean to say that Hibiki should do this?"

……

Toyokawa Shoko predicted what Hibiki Iruma was going to say.

"How can I let Xiang Lai pay the price for what happened to me?"

Toyokawa Shoko spoke gently.

"So when the time comes, I'll be the one to announce the suspension of activities."

In front of Hibiki Iruma.

At this moment, Shoko Toyokawa no longer cried.

Just one night.

She became a little stronger and seemed unfamiliar to Iruma.

Instead, the person who felt at a loss was Iruma Hibiki.

He should have been an assistant, but at this moment, after Toyokawa Shoko made the decision, was there anything else he could do?

"ring……"

Suddenly, Shoko Toyokawa called out Hibiki Iruma's name.

"Can you hug me one last time before you leave?"

Toyokawa Shoko asked with a red face.

"That's all I need."

……

At this moment, Hibiki Iruma naturally had no reason to refuse. He hugged Shoko Toyokawa and gave her a gentle kiss.

Of course, the time left at this moment is too short.

Shoko Toyokawa's interview appointment this morning was at 10:40 and it was already a little after 9:.

Naturally, there are no more opportunities for deeper communication.

"I'm leaving, and Xiang has to go back too."

Toyokawa Shoko said this, but she still lay quietly on Iruma Hibiki's chest, unwilling to leave, and Iruma Hibiki also hugged Toyokawa Shoko.

"Xiangzi, let's discuss and solve the following matters together. I will help you."

"Yes, but before that, Xiang has to take care of his own business."

"I won't be a burden to Hibiki."

Shoko Toyokawa's self-esteem still exists.

She wouldn't allow herself to become a burden to Hibiki Iruma.

For Hibiki Iruma, this is also the reason why he cannot directly use money to help Shoko Toyokawa.

If the two of them got married, Toyokawa Shoko would probably say that she would never want to become a full-time housewife.

"Xiangzi has never been a burden."

Iruma Hibiki responded.

"But I still let Xiang, for me..."

"This trip is actually because I'm not here. Hibiki wants everyone to be able to prepare for the final performance in peace, right?"

……

"But I messed it up. I'm sorry."

Toyokawa Shoko apologized to Iruma Hibiki.

And last night, when she was hugging Hibiki Iruma, Shoko Toyokawa realized something.

She couldn't be weak any longer.

Her weakness will only embarrass the important people around her and eventually make her lose everyone.

The band, the lover, and everything I have now.

How will she survive alone next?

impossible.

Toyokawa Shoko was clearly aware of this.

That's why she chose to confess, and after thinking about it all night, she showed the strength she had this morning. Of course, the embers of the past still existed.

It's just that it has become a very intimate part of the relationship between lovers.

In fact, last night, Shoko Toyokawa once thought that the two of them were about to cross the final distance. She felt shy about it, but did not have much resistance.

Perhaps if Iruma Hibiki had been more assertive, he would have been able to cross that distance reluctantly.

only--

Hibiki Iruma didn't do that.

Compared to that kind of thing, Iruma Hibiki cares more about her feelings.

So this morning, the gap between the two of them, which probably existed because their previous relationship progressed too quickly, completely disappeared.

This morning, Shoko Toyokawa was overly proactive and affectionate.

But it also has a strong and protective outer layer.

Faced with such a lover, the close distance, and the somewhat unfamiliar personality and decision-making, Iruma Hibiki was at a loss for a while.

But, this is a good thing, right?

With this in mind, Iruma Hibiki decided to become Toyokawa Shoko's support and face the next situation together with her.

Shoko Toyokawa has chosen to grow up.

What about him?

Iruma Hibiki took a deep breath.

The smell of Toyokawa Shoko actually changed a little.

"Xiang, there's one more thing..."

Suddenly, Shoko Toyokawa whispered in Hibiki Iruma's ear.

"Can things like that wait until after we get married..."

She spoke softly.

Her face was flushed.

"I still have some..."

"Ah, it's okay..."

Iruma Hibiki responded quickly, his face also flushed at such a topic.

"But... I heard there's another way, and that shouldn't be a problem... If Xiang wants... I can..."

"Wait! Xiangzi, let's not talk about this for now!"

Iruma Hibiki responded quickly, trying to change the subject.

"But, last night's noise..."

When Toyokawa Shoko pointed out what happened last night, Iruma Hibiki was completely speechless.

Sixty-four Nights of Unspeakable Things

Iruma Hibiki's fatigue could not be hidden.

Although he has some adaptability and immunity to staying up late, and is also good at staying energetic and making noise all night long, the situation today is a little special.

Perhaps it was because of the fatigue from the journey, or perhaps it was because of the physical strength he had just consumed along the way, but the exhausted Iruma Hibiki just sat on the edge of the bed and could not feel relaxed at all. Instead, the feeling of weakness always made him fall down.

But now is not the time for that.

Not even close.

Iruma Hibiki forced himself to sit there.

(II) ⑨Lingwu Sanba【⒎?〔异氵"It's okay... It's okay to lie down."

At this time, Toyokawa Shoko, who was covered in the quilt, said this while looking at Iruma Hibiki's back.

For Hibiki Iruma, the night that was difficult to talk about but extremely exciting, and that he would probably never forget in his life, probably started from this time.